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Staying mentally active

Studies show that mental decline is not an inevitable part of ageing. People who lead intellectually stimulating lives are more likely to be free of dementia conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

The ageing mind

It is possible to keep your brain in shape and to cope with changes in your mental ability. Simple forgetfulness can be experienced by anyone but is likely to increase with the ageing process, which also affects your concentration and attention span, and the ability to adapt to new situations. Like anything else, using your brain will make it work best.

Long periods of stress can affect the mind at any age, but age-specific events, like retirement, are highly stressful, as are bereavement and divorce. For women, the menopause can bring poor memory and concentration, anxiety and panic.

Coping with changes in your mental ability

Change is to be expected as you age, but deterioration is not inevitable. Many age-linked memory problems are due to poor concentration or motivation or anxiety and stress.

There's some truth in the saying 'use it or lose it'. It's a question of keeping your mind in trim to retain your mental abilities. Keeping yourself mentally, as well as physically fit, will make you feel better, improve your brain power - and help you to stay independent for longer.

Keeping your brain in shape

There are three main routes to an agile mind: healthy diet, aerobic exercise and mental stimulation.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet can benefit your brain and nervous system. Foods high in saturated fats, like cakes, biscuits, pastry or sausages, can speed mental decline. Other foods, like oranges and green leafy vegetables, oily fish or soya, are good for the brain.

Exercise

Exercise is vital for mental agility. It gets the heart pumping and the circulation going, which increases blood flow, carrying more nutrients and oxygen to the brain. Exercise also helps with depression and anxiety and other forms of emotional distress.